Farmers’ Market To Re-Open

While the Putnam County Farmer’s Market is already underway, at Valley Park, The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) will kick off National Farmers’ Market Week by hosting a corn roast in conjunction with Capitol Market at the Capitol Thursday, August 3rd, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The goal of National Farmers’ Market Week, August 6th through the 12th, is to highlight and promote the local food movement in the United States and the importance farmers’ markets continue to play in our food system.“Local food is becoming more and more intertwined in our daily lives. From helping local economies combat the disastrous effects of food deserts to providing healthier, fresher options to consumers, our farmers’ markets are a vital part of our communities,” stresses Commissioner of Agriculture Kent A. Leonhardt. “This week, make sure you visit your local farmers’ market to support a West Virginia farmer.”

This is the 12th year for the annual corn roast held at the Capitol. Gritt’s Farm will be supplying and cooking the corn for the event. They as well as Crihfield farm have been selling produce as part of Capitol Market at the Capitol for the last three weeks. In addition to the corn roast, both producers will have other vegetables and fruits for sale.

“We are extremely thankful to Brad Gritt and Andy Crihfield for being a part of our Capitol Market at the Capitol initiative. It is agriculture-based businesses like these that are creating a model we can replicate around the state,” states Agriculture Business Development Director Cassey Bowden. “Commissioner Leonhardt has a clear vision for what local food can do for West Virginia. We hope to continue to work with our partners to implement that foresight.”

At the end of National Farmers’ Market Week, the WVDA, in conjunction with the West Virginia Farmers Market Association and the West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition, will be hosting a farmers’ market stakeholder meeting Friday, August 11th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the State Fair of West Virginia. Topics of conversation will include how to expand markets into underserved areas and current challenges facing the markets. All market managers are welcome to participate in the discussion. Please contact the West Virginia Farmers Market Association for more details.

“Farmers’ markets have never been stronger in West Virginia. Every year we see growth in existing markets and continued interest in starting new markets throughout the Mountain State,” says Executive Director for the West Virginia Farmers Market Association Parween Mascari. “We are excited to have an open dialogue with Commissioner Leonhardt as we continue to work together to grow the local food movement in our state.”

The West Virginia Farmers Market Association and the West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition will host a cookout, featuring local foods, prior to the stakeholder meeting on August 11th starting at noon.

When you buy from a "Mom & Pop" business, you are not helping a CEO buy third vacation home.
You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy get his team jersey, a mom or dad put food on the table, a family pay their mortgage, or a student pay for college.